Leviticus 16 is the chapter that describes how the priest, the Levite, makes "atonement" (or purification) for the people. For us, this is no longer necessary---Christ has made "atonement" for us. But this doesn't mean we no longer need repentance---we still need to turn and re-turn to the LORD.
Through Baptism---when we are marked as Christ's forever--we are purified---atoned---made clean. The word "atonement" literally means, at-one-ment. Being restored to oneness with God. Throughout our day, we take actions, think thoughts, speak words that cause separation between us and God---we start shooing God out the door of our being. This is where confession, or the rite of reconciliation, comes in. When we confess these actions, thoughts, and words---when we do more than confess them but pray for the strength to turn from them and not repeat them--we are practicing repentance. We are seeking at-one-ment---the restoration of our proper place--God dwelling in us.
We still need a way to let go of our baggage---our guilt, our shame, the recognition of our denying God---and this is precisely what confession/reconciliation allows us to do. Whether we do it corporately in worship or privately in our own prayer life or individually in front of a confessor---this ritual allows us to begin the process of re-turning to God by declaring our wrong steps. The priest speaks the words of absolution, not because if she doesn't we aren't forgiven, but because we need to hear them. We need to be reminded of God's loving mercy. These words assure us: you are cleansed, renewed, redeemed. Now, go, live a holy life.
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